COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College led NCAA Division II in student-athlete graduation rate for the third straight year in 2023, and for the sixth time in 14 years, as data released by the NCAA on Wednesday revealed the College's student-athletes achieved an Academic Success Rate (ASR) of 99% for the most recent cycle.
 
Saint Michael's, which tied Northeast-10 Conference counterpart Bentley University for first place, also led NCAA Division II in ASR in 2010, 2011, 2017, 2021 and 2022.
 
The College tied for first in ASR among more than 300 Division II schools for the 2013-16 cohort taken into account, matching Bentley while edging Biola (Calif.) University (98%), Hillsdale (Mich.) College (98%) and Thomas Jefferson (Pa.) University (98%). Saint Michael's posted at least a 97% showing for the 16th straight four-year cycle, notched its 13th finish of 98% or better, and reached 99% for the fifth time, including the third year in a row.
 
For the 17th straight year, Saint Michael's was one of the top two in the NE10, either outright leading the league or tying for first for the 12th time in that span. Among the NE10's 14 schools at the time, Saint Michael's matched Bentley while besting a competitive field that included Le Moyne College (96%), Saint Anselm College (92%), Adelphi University (91%), Assumption University (91%) and Southern New Hampshire University (91%).

"Three straight years at No. 1 in the NCAA's Academic Success Rate, and our sixth No. 1 ranking overall - what a tremendous accomplishment by our student-athletes," said Director of Athletics Chris Kenny '86. "I can't imagine a more definitive affirmation of Saint Michael's College's commitment to student success and the tremendous dedication and support of our faculty and staff. This is a very student-centered institution that cares deeply and collaborates well. Our student-athletes could not achieve at this sustained level of excellence without an 'all-in' effort by the entire Saint Michael's community; from every corner of campus. We are very proud of our distinctive NCAA ASR tradition, and celebrate this great recognition with our Purple Knight family!"
 
By tying for first among all Division II institutions, the College finished no worse than fourth for the 16th straight year, placing first in 2011; tying for first in 2010, 2017, 2021 and 2022; tying for second in 2009, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020; taking third in 2013 and 2019; tying for third in 2014; and capturing fourth in both 2008 and 2012.
 
The ASR, which this year took into account the four-year cycle of classes entering between 2013 and 2016, is in its 18th year of existence. Saint Michael's continued to record an ASR significantly higher than the NCAA Division II average, which this year was 76%. The data shows 17 of the College's 21 programs had a 100% ASR for this four-year span, as Saint Michael's led the NE10 in programs with a 100% ASR for the 12th straight year while accounting for more than one fifth of the 84 NE10 squads that had a perfect ASR. The NE10 was second in NCAA Division II with an 88% ASR.
 
The NCAA annually releases the Division II ASR, a model developed at the request of presidents of Division II institutions to overcome inadequacies with the Federal Graduation Rate (FGR). The FGR only takes into account student-athletes that receive athletic scholarships, while the ASR considers all student-athletes, thus capturing non-scholarship students that represent a clear majority of the Saint Michael's student-athletes.
 
Of the 21 varsity sports offered by Saint Michael's, 17 earned a 100% ASR for the 2013-16 cohort: baseball, women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, men's golf, men's and women's ice hockey, men's lacrosse, men's and women's skiing, women's soccer, softball, women's swimming & diving, men's and women's tennis, and women's volleyball. The remaining four were all at 92% or better.
 
A searchable database for ASR information and federal reports for all NCAA Division II institutions is available by visiting here.